Your dog's coat says a lot about his health. If your dog is losing hair on his back and other parts of his body, you should make an appointment for your dog to see a veterinarian. Hair loss, or alopecia, can be systemic or environmental, and the best chance you have of treating it is to catch it early.
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Diet
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A poor-quality, low-protein diet can cause hair loss on your dog's back, legs or other areas. Your veterinarian might suggest a higher-quality food. She might also suggest a supplement such as Omega-3 fish oil, which promotes healthy skin and hair. Do not give your dog any treats when switching to a new food.
Allergies
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Allergies cause dogs to pull their hair out or rub their backs on something rough to curb the intense itching. They will rub up against walls, fences or furniture, resulting in hair loss on their backs.
Disease
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Tumors, Cushing's disease, or thyroid and hormone problems can cause severe and sometimes permanent hair loss on your dog's back, legs and head. Your veterinarian will do blood tests and chemical panels. She also may need to take a skin scraping from your dog's back to determine the underlying problem.
Skin Infection
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The skin on your dog's back can become infected if your dog has come in contact with a pesticide, been bitten by a bug or has folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicle. Hot spots, a form of dermatitis, can become inflamed and infected and should be treated immediately.
Parasites
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Mites and fleas can cause hair loss on your dog if your dog is allergic to parasites. Your dog may bite and chew his skin, tearing out hair, to get at the parasite.
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